Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-09-29

The facility with which they handle
their threads and the way in which
they initiate the natural eoIors and
forms OF flowers is as near to perfec-
ton as may be. They revel in this
power. In the adjustment of different
metals, also, they are wonderful
Their combinations of metallic sub
stances. such as the golden threads,
known as aEanturine, with ruby
enamel are astonishing. The exact
ness. the regularity and the eonsecu-
tive order displayed in these combiua-
tons indicate skill in the manipulating
process not yet attained by any other
glass workers In the world. Some of
these things appear as if they were
done with a lady's knitting needle.
and belonged to embroidery rather
than glass. It is almost impossible, in
several instances. to trace out the
maze by discovering how they had
placed these threads at starting The
more closely they are examined. the
more there is to wonder at
the executive powers Of the
workmen. One thing to be greatly
commended is the way in which they
prevent their long fancy glasses from
cracking in the feet. All their elabo-
rate goblets and dishes are made in
different sections and Joined at the fin
Ish. For instance, there was first the
dish (the body only. then the stem
distinct as a piece, then the foot, ali
made separate. then the punty stuck
inside the dish, and after this fashion
all the separate parts are Joined, and
so the risk considerably lessened by
letting the foot and stem be the last
part Of the work, and not the body as
in sometimes the case. The chief
thing required is great care that the
punty inside the dish should be sc
regulated as that no mark can be seen
OF it after the article is finished
Oae great drawback to some Vene-
tan glass is liability to iniure from
use Il is so fragile in structure that
the greatest possible care can scarce
ly prevent its being broken. One
great principle of domestic economy
is that all articles for domestic use
should be made capable of rea-
sonable amount of durability. In this
particular Venetian glass is
certainly deficient, for the outer sur
face is so ornamented with prunts and
piuehings and breai.abl pieces. that
even the merest touch o. the hem of a
lady's garment is sufficient to break it.
and when it is considered that every
time these glasses are used they re-
quire to be thoroughly cleaned in order
that their surfaces may be bright, this
fault becomes very grave one. 1t
has indeed been a question with some
whether Venetian glass can be proper
" considered as applicable to domestic
purposes at all, they contending that
it is only an art production. This con-
sideration initiates greatly against
this kind of glass work. In examining
the pinchings at the top of handles and
stems sharp projections are discovered
which would make it it impossible for
them to be cleaned otherwise than by
Il most elaborate exercise of care;
where servants have ..to be employed.
this becomes q serious source of ex-
pendiiure.
Another notable feature in the Vene-
tan productions is the want of ac-
euracy and precision in their shape.
Of all things broken outline shape is
one of the most distressing character
istics that can be conceived. Some
critics have affirmed that perfection of
outline and proportion interferes with
the freedom of design. This is, how
ever, refuted by an appeal to the art
productions of Greece, which are
mathematically correct in outline, and
capable Of construction by the appliea-
ton Of few geometrical principles.
Surely truth is as much required in the
art of glass blowing as it is in logic
and other sciences. There remains.
Notwithstanding its flights. in this
Venetian glass much to admire. In the
graceful interlacing of soft and chaste
colors and delicate threading there is
love of true art. with all the wonder
full subtlety and grace, and leads one
to hope for the time when other work
men will rise above narrow local pref
udiees and seek to add to their re-
sources the hints which may be drawn
from this difficult yet capable art in
dustry.-N r Herald.